"Minor Injuries Unit receptionist refuses patient"

I injured one of my fingers playing sports and the next day managed to get an emergency appointment with my GP, who referred me to have an X-ray at Queen Mary’s hospital straight away and told me that even if there was no fracture they should immobilise it there for me. So I went to the hospital and after taking the X-ray the radiologist said the results would be sent to my GP in 1 week. I asked if there was any doctor who could have a look at the time as I could not move my finger and did not want to go home without a doctor`s opinion or without having it immobilised properly. She then said only a doctor in the Minor Injuries would be able to see the X-ray that day so I went there.

The receptionist at the Minor Injuries seeing I’ve been referred by the GP in first place said she would not register me there and that I should come back to my GP for them to sort my problem.

Really? So you go to the Minor injuries unit with a minor injury and the receptionist then refuses to register you? I told her I could wait the whole day but I would prefer to have it seen by a doctor than to have to go home and wait one week. In any moment anyone could confirm I did not have a broken bone and everything I know is that the GP clearly said regardless the results my finger should be immobilised to avoid further contusion. Anyway, while I was there I called my GP and I was told they should see me at the Minor injuries, they even asked to speak to the receptionist, but she carried on refusing to register me.

In my opinion it does not matter who had referred me or if I should had gone to the hospital straight away. I am a human being and I should be treated with respect. The Minor injuries unit was not that busy and I had all the time, it was an enormous shame I`ve been refused treatment based on the receptionist`s understood of the NHS processes. Also I can guarantee you during the whole time I was very polite with the staff and did not receive the same treatment.

Later in the day one of my GP nurses called me and said she could immobilise my finger for me, but I would have to buy the appropriate tape as they did not have it at the GP, as they usually do not treat minor injuries there. I bought the tape and she did the procedure in less than 5 minutes. So if you have a minor injury go somewhere else, not to the Minor Injuries Unit at Queen Mary`s.